Filed Under: Environmental Issues | Long Island | Nassau | Energy | Energy | Public Health | Water

Nuclear Power Plant Emissions

Virtually all of Nassau County’s electricity comes from fossil fuels and nuclear power. Many of the power plants in Nassau are old and inefficient— leading to more pollution than is necessary and higher fuel bills.

Soot emissions from power plants, also referred to as particulate matter, have been shown to have particularly damaging effects- causing asthma attacks, cardiac problems and respiratory difficulties. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources are responsible for climate change.

In 1998 the privately owned Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) was replaced with a new public power entity, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). LIPA took over LILCO's enormous debt - largely due to its Shoreham nuclear power plant, which never produced electricity commercially. The debt was refinanced with tax-exempt municipal bonds. Since bondholders do not pay taxes on the interest from such bonds, interest payments do not have to be as large as with corporate debt. Combined with no federal taxes or shareholder dividends LIPA was therefore able to instantly provide customers with double-digit cuts in what had been the highest electric rate in the continental United States. Recently the possibility of privatizing LIPA has been raised and LIPA has an option to buy the former LILCO power plants now owned by the private company KeySpan. Were LIPA able to convert to a private utility, it probably would lose the tax-exempt status that produced the rate savings.

The need for power, particularly in the summer continues to raise the issue of power shortages on Long Island, especially after the August 2003 Northeast blackout. LIPA has been using portable diesel generators as a boost to the power supply in summer months.

As well as the suggestion of new power plants on Long Island another source of power is the TransEnergie cable across Long Island Sound from Connecticut to Shoreham. Connecticut authorities refused to allow the cable to be activated due to concerns about its environmental impact on the floor of the Sound. However, as a consequence of the August 2003 blackout the US Department of Energy gave authorization for activation of the cable. Since then it has remained the subject of dispute between New York and Connecticut. After the emergency power shortage, the cable stayed on, drawing protests from politicians in Connecticut who said it was siphoning power from the state - costing consumers more money - and causing harm to the region's aquatic life. Long Island officials fought back, claiming that the cable was necessary to meet New York's power needs and was safe for the environment. In May 2004 the US energy secretary ordered the cable turned off. There are also proposals for a 27 mile 660-megawatt underwater cable from Sayreville, New Jersey to Wantagh to supply more power for Nassau and Suffolk. The project is expected to cost several hundred million dollars and by completed by 2007.

Rather than building more power plants on Long Island many environmentalists argue for repowering existing plants. Repowering is the process whereby old, highly inefficient and dirty power plants are temporarily shut down and replaced with cleaner natural gas fired, efficient technologies. Repowering makes sense for a variety of reasons. An existing site is being reused, eliminating the need for siting new plants on vacant parcels. Transmission and distribution lines are already in place. Furthermore, repowering leads to a drastic reduction in emissions and increased efficiency, which has economic as well as financial benefits.

Energy conservation reduces dangerous power plant emissions and also helps to keep energy bills down. Conservation proposals include the adoption and implementation of Green Building standards as set forth by the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) program (www.usgbc.org) and the purchase of energy efficient appliances such as those bearing the EnergyStar label (www.energystar.gov)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable sources of energy do not contribute to climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. New York State and LIPA offer tax credits, cash rebates and net-metering incentives (where excess renewable power can be sold back to the grid) for the installation of residential solar systems. LIPA has committed to installing at least 10,000 solar roofs by 2010.

Solar Rooftop

LIPA has announced plans to choose a company to build wind-powered generators off the south shore, probably off Jones Beach or Long Beach. The project would produce the first offshore wind generators outside of Europe. The wind turbines will have a capacity of 100 to 140 megawatts, equivalent to power for 30,000 homes, representing only about 2 percent of LIPA’s total power use. Critics of the plan cite noise and vibration, dangers to migrating birds, disruption of prime squid fishing, and intrusive underwater cables and power connections on land. Most of all, critics have focused on the permanent alteration of the ocean view from the South Shore. But LIPA, and a number of environmental groups, argue that with proper siting the effect will be minimal on birds, fish and even the view. Because the windmills would be 2.5 to 6 miles from shore, they would appear small on the horizon.

Wind Farm

In 2003 Governor Pataki set a goal of having 25 percent of the electricity consumed in New York state come from renewable resources by 2013. The state’s Public Service Commission will finalize the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS. An important issue for Long Island is whether waste-to-energy incinerators will be included within the RPS. Proponents argue that waste-to-energy plants turn garbage that would otherwise end up in a landfill into power for homes and businesses . However, others think that waste-to-energy cannot truly be considered renewable source of energy in the way that wind or solar power are. See the solid waste chapter for more on incinerators.

The Citizens Advisory Panel, http://www.energymatters.org promotes sustainable energy policies for Long Island. CAP was established by order of the Federal Eastern District Court to advise Long Island's public concerning ways to improve electrical service, to mitigate rate increases, to control energy costs and to assist LIPA ratepayers to conserve energy. On their site you can access the Citizens Energy Plan For Long Island which contains recommendations for energy efficiency and long-term sustainable energy solutions.

Renewable Energy Long Island is a membership-based, non-for-profit organization promoting clean, sustainable energy use and generation for Long Island. RELI seeks public participation in energy policy decisions to encourage energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, and to protect our environment, economy, and public health. Their website is http://www.renewableenergylongisland.org/

The Clean Energy Leadership Task Force has been established to provide Long Island municipalities with information on less polluting energy technologies and also to clarify the financial incentive programs available for adopting them. It helps them obtain the practical information needed in order to transition to cleaner and/or more efficient energy technologies in both their buildings and vehicle fleets. More information is at http://longislandnn.org/energy/taskforce.htm

What you can do:

Here are some energy-saving tips:

In the summer:

·Central air conditioning units are graded using SEER and window units by (EER). The higher the ratio or rating the more efficient the unit. Look for an 11.0 or higher ratio or rating.

·Make sure your window air conditioner is sized properly. Window air conditioners are designed to cool one room only. An oversized unit will not dehumidify the room properly and will use more energy than necessary. When figuring the size you need, a rule of thumb is about 20 BTU per square foot of room.

·Shade the outdoor air conditioning unit if possible. A unit in the sun will use up to 5 percent more energy than one in the shade.

·In homes with central air conditioning, don't block air registers with furniture or drapes.

·Keep heat-producing appliances such as lamps and televisions away from the thermostat.

·Clean or replace the central air-conditioning filter monthly. Clean the filter in the window units as well. Its behind the front panel.

Lighting

·   Turn off lights when you leave a room or when they are not needed. Much of the energy used is given off as heat.

·   Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. They give off less heat and use as much as 75 percent less energy than regular bulbs.

·   Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are available in a variety of creative shapes, color temperatures and brightnesses. Some are dimmable and can respond to motion sensors. A typical CFL outlasts 8 equivalent incandescent bulbs.

·   Keep bulbs and lighting fixtures clean for maximum lighting.

·   Pull the plug on instant-on appliances (such as televisions) when you don't plan to use them for a few days or more. They draw current even when switched off.

·   Use task lighting directed at a specific area instead of overhead or general lighting.

Refrigerators and freezers

·   Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full but not overcrowded.

·   Arrange contents in a way that allows air to circulate.

·   Make sure refrigerator and freezer doors fit tightly. If they don't, adjust or replace gaskets.

·   Don't open the doors unnecessarily.

·   If you're going away, remove perishable food from the refrigerator and turn the thermostat up a few degrees.

·   Don't put uncovered liquids in the refrigerator. They force the unit to work harder to remove the moisture.

·   Cool cooked food to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator.

·   Don't put foil on refrigerator shelves. It blocks cold airflow and makes the unit work harder to cool.

·   Don't locate the refrigerator or freezer near the stove, dishwasher or other heat-producing appliances.

·   Don't locate refrigerator in direct sunlight.

·   Set your refrigerator thermostat at 40 degrees and your freezer at 0 degrees.

·   If your refrigerator has an "efficiency" setting, make sure it is on. This will reduce the number of hours the unit needs to run.

·   Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator.

·   Clean dust from refrigerator coils.

·   Don't store paper bags or anything else behind the refrigerator. They can cut airflow, making the refrigerator work harder.

Laundry

·   Do laundry either early in the morning or at night. Try to avoid washing and drying clothes between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

·   Most of the energy in a washing machine is used to heat the water. Use warm or cold water when possible, and always rinse with cold water.

·   Set the washing machine water level for the size of the load. If the machine doesn't have variable levels, wait until you have a full load.

·   Use the soak cycle. It can save energy and money.

·   Put full loads in the dryer, but don't overload. Overloading makes the machine less efficient and more costly to operate.

·   Use warm or cold settings to dry, especially for permanent press clothes.

·   Always keep the lint filter clean.

·   Don't over-dry clothes.

·   The dryer will run most efficiently when drying clothes of the same thickness.

·   Do two or more loads in a row.

·   When possible, use an outdoor clothes line rather than a dryer.

·   Take showers instead of baths.

·   Use low-flow showerheads and faucet control devices.

·   Insulate older water heater units, and set the temperature at 120 degrees.

·   Once or twice a year, drain a bucket of water from the water heater to remove sediment that can reduce the efficiency of the unit.

·   Fix all water leaks and dripping faucets.

·   When shaving or washing, fill the sink halfway instead of running the water.

·   Don't run the water when brushing your teeth.